Argentina and Mexico join Africa in backing FIFA’s Infantino: What to know

How does FIFA presidency stand? Norway wants resignation, but Argentina and Mexico join Africa in Gianni Infantino camp. World football’s growing divide has deepened with the declarations of support for FIFA’s defiant Gianni Infantino by Argentina and Mexico, coming only a day after Africa unanimously voted to back the president of football’s global governing body. Infantino continues to face fierce backlash over a now-abandoned proposal to sell off a number of commercial rights to the World Cup and other FIFA events. Following a meeting in Rabat this week, FIFA said it had apologised to its members for mistakes around the proposal.

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Scoop News DeskArgentina · Published Friday, August 7, 2026 at 12:23 PM UTCUpdated Friday, August 7, 2026 at 12:45 PM UTC

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In supporting Infantino, the Mexican ⁠Football Federation (FMF), cohosts of the recently concluded 2026 World Cup, have crucially broken ranks with their own regional confederation by backing Infantino after CONCACAF called for a “comprehensive reckoning” with his presidency. “The FMF will neither recognise nor approve any process convened outside of that institutional framework, and it joins the call made … by President Infantino to collectively continue developing football for the benefit of the 211 member associations,” it said in a statement. “The FMF supports President Infantino’s leadership in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening.” South America’s CONMEBOL issued a statement on Thursday rejecting any attempt to oust Infantino that did not involve a vote of all 211 members – a move that seems to counter the stance taken by UEFA.